Revisions for The Art of Kiltmaking

[Colin]

Being a beginner at sewing, the only issue I really had when doing an initial read through of the book was when certain types of stiches were referenced. I found the guide later, but not until I had skimmed throught the process. I have used the book to make a kilt for a one year old, but I think that I am going to do a beginners sewing class before I try the 13oz wool i have sitting around. I am using the prinicpals of the book for a kilt in plain grey wool for a neighbor. I have just started, but once I get the math sorted, it should go quicker. The only other issue I had at times was finding the list of needed materials. This was only because the fabric shop closest to my home wa slimited in it's resources. I couldn't find a good thimble that fit my fingers or thumb, so I had a bunch of little pin pricks last week.

Despite any issues I have experienced at this point as a total beginner, the book is very well set up for a beginner kiltmaker. There are several online guides on how to make an inexpensive version of a kilt, but these are usually lacking the charcteristics that are known with a kilt (ie. the fell, sew down pleats, tapering the apron, etc). The Art of Kiltmaking lays it out very neatly and walks you through the process. I had no idea how much effort had to go into making a traditional Scottish kilt. I would suggest the book to people that are even just considering buying a kilt, as it answers alot of the questions in terms of measurement, pleating (sett or stripe), and how a properly made kilt should look. I know the book was helpful in increasing my knowledge of the design and process of kiltmaking, which helped when I ordered my first handsewn kilt from Scotland.

I will comment further when I get further down the process. I have to get past a move (work and parent's home), my wife's birthday, halloween, and my birthday in the next 2 weeks.